New York offers more protection against sexual harassment than federal law. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, women who work for small businesses have no federal protection from sexual harassment. That’s because employers with fewer than 15 employees enjoy a “small…
The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a ruling that some observers expect will change the landscape of employment law enforcement. In a 5-4 vote, the Court ruled that employment contracts requiring workers to resolve all workplace disputes via individual arbitration, rather than going to court,…
“There are certain pockets of the company where that jock kind of mentality kind of does exist,” says a former Nike designer. “And I guess it spills over into some of the corporate processes.” That may be as good a description as any for the…
This week, New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman stepped down after an expose in the New Yorker detailed allegations by four women that he subjected them to physical violence during romantic relationships or encounters. The news came as a shock to many because…
Sexual harassment often goes unchecked in workplaces with rigidly hierarchical cultures in which subordinates feel they have no choice but to put up with a superior’s inappropriate conduct. That same culture can make witnesses reluctant to speak up — or even to feel pressured to…
Employers have long conducted background checks on job applicants, and for good reason. Depending on the position, previous actions by an employee may reflect badly on the company if they come to light. Some jobs require a background check on all potential employees. While employers…